Think heart disease is something that won’t begin to affect you until later in life? Think again. Recent research has found that heart disease is much more common in young service members than previously thought.1,2 While this is cause for concern, there is also good news: In most cases heart disease is preventable or can be delayed until much later in your life. So, even if you’re a young service member, you can do something about heart disease now. February is Heart Health Month, so take this time to evaluate your level of risk and what you can do to increase your heart health.

What is Heart Disease?

A common form of heart disease is Atherosclerosis (ath-ur-oh-skluh-ROW-sis), which is a buildup of fatty plaques in your arteries. As plaques build up, it restricts blood flow which can eventually lead to chest pains, shortness of breath, blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. Although it typically does not become apparent until later in life, researchers recently found evidence of atherosclerosis in service members in their early 20s and 30s, and even in children. Heart disease usually develops slowly, and someone with a problem may not have any symptoms for decades, which in some cases is not until the day they have a heart attack. In other words, the development of heart disease is stealthy. As a result, heart disease is often not addressed until it is too late.

Why should you care right now?

First, it seems really hard to believe. You’re young, you’re strong, you can run a mile (or many more), you can even pass your physical, and yet you can still have the early stages of atherosclerosis right now. Heart disease remains the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. While heart disease is often viewed as something to worry about when you get older, approximately half of American adults who have heart disease are under the age of 60.3

Second, structural damage to the heart and blood vessels has often already occurred before any type of heart disease is diagnosed and treated. Since damage to the heart can begin as early as childhood, by the time heart disease is diagnosed, surgery and long-term medications may be the only way to prevent further damage, medical complications, and cardiovascular events (heart attacks and strokes).

Third, heart disease is a family affair, affecting those closest to you. But because heart disease is so stealthy it can be difficult for us to get motivated to do something about it. After all, heart disease is probably the last thing on your mind when you’re ordering a pizza, smoking that cigarette, sitting down to watch a few hours of sports, or trying to get your child to eat. But we now know that what we do and eat as kids and young adults has a big impact on our heart health. We can’t just start being healthy when we reach our 40s and 50s and expect to prevent heart attacks and stroke. And we should also be teaching our children heart healthy habits now, which will make it easier for them to maintain a healthy heart throughout their lives.

Are You at Risk?

The good news is that we know that there are many causes for unhealthy hearts. While some are not under our direct control (infections, age, gender, genetic predisposition), heart disease is often the result of multiple lifestyle factors that are within our control.

Regardless of your level of risk today, heart health can be improved at any age through a nutritious diet that is low in added sugar, salt, and empty calories, getting moderate to vigorous physical activity most days of the week, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing your stress.

A few key things you can do now:

Quit smoking – The military has a number of free resources to help you quit and stay tobacco free. Even if you have had trouble quitting before, don’t give up. If you aren’t a smoker, don’t start. And don’t get caught up in the e-cigarettes craze. There just isn’t enough evidence to say whether they are a safer alternative to cigarettes – and furthermore, they can be a gateway to an addiction to real cigarettes.

Increase your physical activity – After high blood pressure, physical inactivity is the second highest cause of atherosclerosis. But the great news is that even if your weight stays the same, you decrease your risk of heart disease simply by exercising. The general recommendation is to be physically active for at least 150 minutes each week.

Get to a healthy weight – Being in a healthy weight category is another important way to reduce your risk of heart disease, but it must be done safely. January was the Healthy Weight month, so be sure to visit NMCPHC for tips and tools for how to reach a healthy weight safely.

Eat a healthy diet – There are lots of diet tips out there, so make sure you choose a heart healthy diet that is well-balanced, includes of lots of fruits and vegetables, and is low in empty calories like added sugar. And don’t forget, you don’t have to deprive yourself to be healthy. Moderation is key.

Start teaching kids heart healthy habits – We know children are not immune to heart damage. Instilling heart healthy habits in your children early on will make it easier for them to maintain a healthy heart throughout their lives.

Consult a health care provider – If you think you or your children might be at risk for future heart disease, talk with your health care provider. Work with your provider to set goals for yourself.

Available Resources

To learn more about maintaining your healthy heart, please visit the following resources:

Recipe for Heart Disease slick sheet (in development – will be linked when published)